Books On Board
series Reading Order

Evidence Books in Order

12 Books
2013 – 2021 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order

While most books in Rachel Grant's Evidence series feature standalone romantic pairings and self-contained thrillers, reading them in order is highly recommended. A recurring network of secondary characters, familial connections, and shared organizations (such as the security firm Raptor and the archaeology agency Drake & Talon) evolve throughout the series, building a rich world that is best experienced chronologically.

To get the most out of the overarching storyline, we recommend following the chronological reading path below:

  1. Concrete Evidence (2013) – Erica Kesling, an underwater archaeologist trying to clear her name, clashes with detective and hacker Lee Scott. This book establishes the recurring archaeology firm Drake & Talon, owned by Lee's half-brother, JT Talon.
  2. Body of Evidence (2013) – Forensic archaeologist Mara Garrett is arrested in North Korea on false espionage charges, and prosecutor Curt Dominick is sent to negotiate her high-stakes release.
  3. Withholding Evidence (2014) – Military historian Trina Sorensen teams up with Keith Thompson to unravel a mystery surrounding historical artifact thefts.
  4. Night Owl (2020) – A prequel novella to Incriminating Evidence. Set in Tamarack, Alaska, it follows the slow-burn romance between bartender Jenna O'Donnell and Raptor operative Brad Fraser.
  5. Incriminating Evidence (2015) – Archaeologist Isabel Dawson investigates the death of her brother in the Alaskan wilderness and crosses paths with Alec Ravissant, the CEO of Raptor.
  6. Covert Evidence (2015) – Archaeologist Cressida Porter and CIA operative Ian Boyd find themselves caught in a dangerous terrorist conspiracy in Turkey.
  7. Cold Evidence (2016) – Underwater archaeologist Audrey Vance and US Attorney Grant Mercer work together on a case involving a sunken Cold War submarine.
  8. Poison Evidence (2016) – Ivy Harris and Jack Mitchell navigate deadly conspiracies, tribal rights, and dangerous secrets.
  9. Silent Evidence (2018) – Hazel MacBride and Sean Mercer confront global peril and deep secrets in this intense thriller.
  10. Winter Hawk (2019) – A fast-paced novella focusing on former Green Beret and Raptor operative Nate Sifuentes as he protects Leah Ellis, a framed drone engineer.
  11. Tainted Evidence (2020) – Museum curator Maddie Foster is targeted by neo-Nazis and relies on security contractor Josh Warner to survive.
  12. Broken Falcon (2021) – Valerie Bennett and Caleb Montgomery navigate a web of secrets and survival in the wilderness.
  13. False Evidence (2024) – Bringing the series full circle, this second-chance romance focuses on Alexandra Vargas and JT Talon (first introduced in Concrete Evidence) as Alexandra goes on the run after being framed.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

For the most part, Rachel Grant published the series in chronological order. However, the placement of the novellas is a common source of confusion for readers:

  • Night Owl (Book 3.5): Although published in 2020, this novella is chronologically set before Incriminating Evidence (Book 4, published in 2015). Reading it between Withholding Evidence and Incriminating Evidence provides excellent context for the Raptor facility in Tamarack, Alaska.
  • Winter Hawk (Book 9): Published in 2019, this novella is set after the events of Silent Evidence. It bridges the gap before the events of Tainted Evidence and should be read in its chronological spot.

The "Under Fire" Connection: The Flashpoint Crossover

For readers who want to experience the complete Rachel Grant universe, the author has created a spin-off series called Evidence: Under Fire. This series acts as a direct crossover, merging characters and plotlines from the Evidence series with her military-themed Flashpoint series (which includes Tinderbox, Catalyst, Firestorm, and Inferno).

To read the crossover storyline, you should pick up the Evidence: Under Fire books in this order:

  1. Before the Storm: One Hot Night (Book 0.5)
  2. Into the Storm (Book 1)
  3. Trust Me (Book 2)
  4. Don't Look Back (Book 3)
  5. False Flag (Book 4)

What to Know Before You Start

Rachel Grant's career as a professional archaeologist for over a decade brings unparalleled authenticity to the Evidence series. The descriptions of shipwreck excavations, artifact preservation, and historical research are grounded in real-world science. Combined with military-grade suspense and steamy, high-stakes romances, the series is perfect for readers who enjoy intelligent, detailed thrillers where the protagonists are as smart as they are brave.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the best starting point for the Evidence series?

You should start with Concrete Evidence, the first book in the series. It establishes key recurring elements like the archaeology firm Drake & Talon and characters like JT Talon, who plays a major role in the final book.

QCan the books in the Evidence series be read as standalones?

Yes, each book features a self-contained romantic arc and a resolved mystery. However, reading them in order is highly recommended due to recurring characters, family relationships, and evolving background storylines.

QWhere does the novella Night Owl fit in the reading order?

Chronologically, Night Owl is Book 3.5. It should be read before Incriminating Evidence (Book 4) because it introduces the Alaskan setting and the Raptor security personnel that play a significant role in the subsequent book.

QHow does the Flashpoint series connect to the Evidence series?

Characters and elements from both the military-themed Flashpoint series and the archaeological Evidence series cross over in the spin-off series, Evidence: Under Fire, beginning with the book Into the Storm.

QWhat is the final book in the Evidence series?

The final book in the series is False Evidence, published in late 2024. It centers on JT Talon and Alexandra Vargas, bringing the long-running series full circle by resolving storylines that began in the very first book.